All vehicles (including spares), equipment to be used, and all transportation operations implemented must comply with the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (“USDOT”), the State Department of Education (“SED”), the State Department of Transportation (“NYSDOT”), and the State Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”). The vehicle must also comply with and satisfy all laws, rules and regulations of any other agency of the federal government, the State of New York (“State”), the City of New York (“City”) and the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York (dba New York City Department of Education and “NYCDOE”) that are deemed to be applicable to this Contract by the Director or his/her designee(s), or as the same may be added to, updated, revised, re-codified and/or otherwise changed during the term of the Contract.
Vehicles Types and Capacities
Any or all of the different types of vehicles below may be required to perform the Services described in specific contracts. The vehicles must comply with the following minimum standards:
- FMVSS Type A or B vehicle with an 18 passenger minimum seating capacity (A/B-18).
- FMVSS Type A or B vehicle with a 20 passenger minimum seating capacity (A/B-20).
- FMVSS vehicle with a 20 passenger minimum seating capacity (A/B-24).
- FMVSS Type A or B flex vehicle with (wheelchair) track seating & flat floor. Vehicle with lift with seating capacity for up to 20 passengers or at least 6 wheelchair securement positions with the capability to convert to the appropriate mix of passenger seats and wheelchair positions between those extremes as required (A/B-WCTS).
- FMVSS Type C or D with dual passenger doors and a 35 passenger minimum seating capacity (C/D-35).
- FMVSS Type C or D Vehicle with (wheelchair) track seating & flat floor. vehicle with lift and with seating capacity for up to 35 passengers or at least 10 wheelchair securement positions with the capability to convert to any appropriate mix of passenger seats and wheelchair positions between those extremes as required by the route (C/D-WCTS).
- Non-Wheelchair Accessible Alternative School Bus with seating capacity for a maximum of 3 passengers (NWAASB).
- Wheelchair Accessible Alternative School Bus with seating capacity for Alternative at least 2 non-ambulatory riders and 2 sitting ambulatory passengers (WAASB2&2).
All routes assigned in a flex vehicle item will have at least one non-ambulatory rider.
Vehicle Requirements
Climate Control
The Contractor shall comply with NYSDOT regulations expressed at 17 N.Y.C.R.R. § 720.4(I)(1)(a) regarding interior ambient air temperature, except that the Contractor shall maintain heating levels during cold weather months at not less than the temperature expressed in the RFB.
Seat Safety Belts
In accordance with State Vehicle and Traffic Law (“VT&L”) § 383(5), all vehicles used for NYCDOE pupil transportation and/or pre-kindergarten/early intervention transportation must be equipped with seat safety belts for all passengers. In accordance with City Administrative Code §§ 19-602 and 19-603, all vehicles engaged in transporting disabled children must be equipped with seat safety belts for each seat and each child passenger, and every contractor must ensure that its drivers and attendants require all student passengers to use their seat safety belts while vehicles are in motion. Seat safety belts must be accessible and in good working condition at all times.
Back-up system
Every vehicle must be equipped with an automatic audible alarm system installed behind the rear axle. The alarm system must comply with the Society of Automotive Engineers published "Backup Alarm Standards" (SAE 994b) specifying 97 + 4dBA for rubber tired vehicles and all applicable federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations, or as the same may be created, revised or otherwise changed during the term of this Contract.
Fire Extinguisher
All vehicles must be equipped with at least one all-purpose fire extinguisher, dry chemical or CO2 type, rated at least 2A10BC, equipped with a calibrated or market gauge indicating the unit’s readiness which can be read easily without the need to move a unit from its mounted position. The fire extinguisher(s) must be of a type approved by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.; and the operating mechanism must be sealed with a type of seal that will not interfere with the use of the fire extinguisher(s). The fire extinguisher(s) must be mounted in an automotive bracket located in the driver’s compartment in full view and easily accessible.
First Aid Kit
Each vehicle must be equipped with a first aid kit marketed by a reputable purveyor of emergency supplies as determined by the Director in an easily removable, moisture proof and dust-proof medical container to be located in the driver's compartment. The Contractor must replenish first aid kit supplies as needed to conform with the purveyor’s original product description and at the Contractor's expense. Each first aid kit must contain at least the following components:
- Bandages (1" by 10 yards);
- Sterile gauze pads (3" by 3");
- Adhesive tape roll (1" by 25 yards);
- Adhesive bandages (3/4" by 3");
- 0.9 gram individual packets of antiseptic ointment;
- Bandage compresses (2");
- Bandage compresses (3");
- Sterile gauze roller bandages (2" by 6 feet); Pair of medical examination gloves; hand sanitizer; instant cold packs;
- Rounded end scissors;
- Non-sterile triangular bandages with 2 safety pins (minimum 39" by 35" by 54");
- Sterile gauze pads (36" by 36");
- Single units of sterile eye pads (one per unit); and Mouth-to-mouth airway.
Safety Kit
Each vehicle must be equipped with a safety kit that must include a minimum:
- a seat belt cutter
- a fire blanket (based upon New York State Laws and Regulations minimum 35 square feet in size with a minimum width of 4 feet)
- a small flashlight with extra batteries
- a bodily-fluid cleanup kit. (Each bodily fluid clean-up kit must comply with all applicable Federal, State, City and/or NYCDOE laws, rules and/or regulations).
The safety kit must be in a container which can be secured in the driver’s compartment, clearly labeled, and replenished at the Contractor’s expense as its contents and/or components are consumed, wear out and/or any manufacturer’s freshness dates shall elapse.
Bus Sanitation Kit
Each vehicle must be equipped with a sanitation kit for use by the attendant and/or vehicle driver. Each kit must be contained in an easily removable and accessible, moisture-proof, dust-proof and sealable container (e.g., large zippered tote bag) with the words, “Bus Sanitation Kit,” clearly and legibly stenciled or otherwise appearing on the outside. The Contractor must replenish school bus sanitation kit supplies and containers at the Contractor’s expense as its contents and/or components are consumed wear out and/or any manufacturer’s freshness dates shall elapse.
Each bus Sanitation Kit must include at least the following components and/or contents in at least the following quantities:
- Two eleven inch rolls of two-ply paper towels;
- Four disposable cloth towels (12” x 12”);
- One aerosol or pump spray non-glass container of surface cleaner with ammonia (24 fluid oz.);
- One aerosol or pump spray non-glass container of anti-bacterial and germicidal disinfectant (24 fluid oz.);
- One whisk broom (6” by 12”) and compatible metal or plastic dustpan
- Four plastic litter bags (24” by 36”) with a tie closure for each bag;
- Twelve pre-moistened sterilized personal sanitary towelettes in individual packets; and,
- Four pairs of disposable gloves in individual packets that meet current legal requirements for such gloves.
All containers in the Sanitation Kit must be clearly and properly labeled, indicating their contents. The Director shall have sole discretion to disapprove a Contractor’s choice of packaging as unsatisfactory.
Emergency Exits
All vehicles shall be equipped with a total number of emergency exits as follows for the maximum design capacity.
- Each emergency exit below shall comply with FMVSS No. 217.
- Up to 42 Passenger = One (1) emergency exit per side and one (1) roof hatch.
- 43 to 78 Passenger = Two (2) emergency exits per side and two (2) roof hatches.
- 79 to 90 Passenger = Three (3) emergency exits per side and two (2) roof hatches.
These emergency exits are in addition to the rear emergency door or left side emergency door on rear engine bus exits. A door holding device shall be provided to hold the swing out type emergency door(s) in the fully opened position.
Bus Number
The Contractor will assign each vehicle a number consisting of the OPT vendor code followed by four digits suitable for identification purposes. The said number shall be displayed in the back, on the exterior surfaces on the front, the rear and both sides of each vehicle, and the numerals used for the said vehicle numbers shall be not less than four inches high. Any vehicle used in performance of this Contract shall also have its vehicle number displayed on the exterior roof of the vehicle in numerals that are at least twenty-four inches (two feet) in height and fifteen inches in width. The vehicle number shall be applied to the roof of the vehicle using a decal with a gloss covering and a warranty of at least seven years.
Name and Address
The name and the address of the Contractor providing the service shall be displayed on each vehicle in letters no less than three inches (3”) high. The name displayed must be the name under which the Contractor was awarded the Contract, unless use of a different name is authorized in writing by the Director.
Lettering
Numbers and letters shall be applied to the surface of each vehicle with black paint or permanent decals as approved by the NYSDOT. If, in an emergency, vehicles must be rented or borrowed on a short-term basis, a temporary magnetic sign to exhibit the name of the Contractor shall be deployed to cover any other name painted on the vehicle. Numbers and letters on such temporary magnetic signs shall be not less than three inches (3”) high and shall be black. The Contractor shall notify the Director of any such emergency in writing within five (5) days of the deployment of such temporary magnetic signs. The notifications shall state the nature and duration of the emergency, and the Director shall have sole discretion to grant or withhold extensions.
Color
The color of all vehicles used in the performance of this Contract shall be National School Bus Chrome Yellow.
Run Number
Signs to display a “run number,” shall appear on both sides of each vehicle on the inside of each first row side window. The Contractor must equip each vehicle with two (2) permanent display mountings into which each run number sign must be inserted. Such display mountings will be subject to prior approval by the Director and/or the NYSDOT. The lettering of each run number sign must be sufficiently large and distinctly legible so that it can be seen clearly from a distance of not less than (25) feet. The “run number signs” must not obscure the driver’s vision.
Sleeping Children Signs
All vehicles must be equipped with a sign issued by the Department reading, “This Vehicle Has Been Checked For Sleeping Children”.
Following the completion of each run, either to a particular educational or therapy site, or to the children’s residences or any other authorized destination, both the vehicle driver and attendant are required to inspect the bus for sleeping children and upon the completion of said inspection, post the sign in the rear window of the vehicle.
Electronic Check Reminder System
All vehicles must be equipped with an automated electronic reminder system that prompts the driver and attendant to check the vehicle for sleeping or hiding children and personal property. Following the completion of each run and upon the completion of the said inspection, deactivate the reminder system.
Special Requirements
Transportation of Children with Oxygen Needs
Oxygen tanks and support equipment shall be securely attached to prevent movement and leakage. This securement must be located on the sidewall of the school bus with the tank in the upright position at a rib or body support in a rack or mounting bracket capable of sustaining five times the weight of the tank/equipment and contents. A decal or sign indicating medical support equipment is in use and a placard indicating compressed oxygen on board shall be placed in a visible position on the exterior side of the bus to assist emergency personnel in the event of an accident.
Transportation of Children who require Ultraviolet Protection
The darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (“VLT%”). In New York State, this percentage refers to the percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window. Please see the table below which follows the allowable degree of tinting.
Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting film contains metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light.
Windshield
- Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield
Front Side Windows
- Must allow more than 70% of light in
Back Side Windows
- Must allow more than 70% of light in
Rear Window
- Any darkness can be used.
Vehicle Sanitation Requirements
The interior of each vehicle must be cleaned and either swept or vacuumed thoroughly after each route AM/PM and/or at least once each day. The Contractor shall be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting seats and all safety equipment and accessories as often as necessary for sanitary reasons and to maintain the comfort of passengers. Additionally, the exterior of each vehicle must be washed at least weekly and must be maintained in as clean a condition as possible, weather and other conditions permitting.